EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Develop a long passing counter-attack game which includes accurate kicking, fielding and moving the ball to space out of your 22. Use this whole pitch exercise to work on the right skills. In a territorial kicking game, your backfield cover needs to be confident to field kicks, pass long and either kick long or run back. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
Improve your players’ understanding of their roles to make sure you can retrieve kicks and attack space when in possession. Play with your Terms and Conditions, not the kicking teams’. When a team kicks into space, the defending team needs to communicate and fan out so it can run back at spaces. MORE
in Attack, Return to play, Rugby drills
Develop handling decision-making skills where the attack faces different defensive pictures and have different supporting options coming through. The players will have to look ahead, read where best to support the ball carrier and finally, clearly communicate where they are in relation to the ball carrier. MORE
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Develop good spacing in the attacking line to spread the defence and then find gaps. This activity starts the process by pulling attackers out of position and forces them to adjust. The development is ideal for the next stage of Return to Play. MORE
Here are some of the key areas to concentrate on for the new season. You might have to think slightly differently to return to the core principles. MORE
in Rugby drills
If you find yourself coaching a large group of players and you are on your own, you can still develop skills as part of the session. MORE
Use a blindfold on a player in a maul situation so he has to use his sense of the force in the maul and communicate with the players around him. MORE
in Attack
Use this activity to develop your players’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities from a scrum. You could use this against a scrum machine as well. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Help players work on running forwards as well as passing backwards, but also on what happens next – realignment and ready to play again. MORE
in Defence, Rugby drills
Your 22m area is the opposition’s team “red zone” and most likely place for them to score points. Use this activity to help your players work harder than the attack and squeeze them out. This activity builds the idea before putting into a game realistic situation. MORE
